City
Epaper

Congress slams government over mobile tariff hike

By IANS | Updated: December 1, 2019 16:50 IST

The Congress has slammed the government for the increase in mobile data and call charges announced by the cellphone companies.

Open in App

The party has alleged that it is with the consent of the government that cellphone companies are robbing the common people of their money.

The Congress also claimed that the present regime deliberately denied PSUs like BSNL and MTNL from upgrading to 4G services.

The hike in mobile tariffs would result in windfall profit for the telecom service providers to the tune of Rs 36,000 crore given that there are 120 crore mobile users in the country, the party claimed.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged that "private telecom service providers have liabilities of Rs 1.47 lakh crore towards the government, which include spectrum and licencing fees. The court has directed the telecom service providers to pay their dues by January 2020, but the government has given them a two-year window besides allowing them to raise tariffs in two phases."

Khera said that during the UPA regime, there were 13 telecom service providers which have reduced to three now, and the public sector companies have been badly treated by the current dispensation.

The public sector companies were in profit during the UPA regime, but now they are suffering losses because of the government apathy, Khera said.

The Congress also alleged that concessions are given to the telecom service providers because of electoral bonds and the BJP-led government should come clean into it.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: congressupaIans
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalKerala: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's Convoy Stopped, Staff Member Assaulted in Malappuram

NationalPunjab Congress Leader Khushbaz Jatan and Driver Killed, Cop Injured in Road Accident in Sonipat

NationalLal Singh, Veteran Punjab Congress Leader, Passes Away at 83

NationalTamil Nadu: Bottle Bombs Hurled at Congress leader P. Chidambaram and MP Karti Chidambaram’s Office in Subramaniapuram

InternationalPriyanka Gandhi Condemns Khamenei’s Killing as ‘Despicable’, Urges Global Leaders to Choose Peace Over War

National Realted Stories

NationalRow over MP Mahua Moitra's 'Gujaratis' remark in Bhabanipur; TMC distances itself

National"Women's Reservation Bill historic, must not be blocked": Centre for Social Research Director Ranjana Kumari

National"Light diesel oil, bitumen shortage will hit construction costs": Himachal PWD Minister

National"LDF is going to win": CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac

NationalRailways approves Rs 398 cr Optical Fibre Project to boost communication network